Veterans Honored All Across America

Veterans Honored All Across America

(NBC News) As America recognizes its veterans, there is disturbing news to report on government aid to the nation's military members.

The wait for veteran's benefits is now about a year, far too long said activists.

The 2.5 million Iraq and Afghan war veterans are coming home with more problems than those from earlier wars.

Half are seeking disability, but most still wait a year to learn what they'll get.

"Thats a crushing experience. It is it's hard i mean a lot of men and women when they get out of the military have a lot of financial issues that they need to tackle and have to wait and wait and wait to hear from the V.A. and the government," said Nick McCormick of the Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans of America.

A survey by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America finds among other things, 45% of veterans know a veteran who attempted suicide.

At the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington, President Obama laid a wreath and honored the nation's oldest veteran.

Richard Overton, fought World War II in the Pacific.

At 107 years-old Overton still drives, and says he drinks a little whiskey every day and smokes 12 cigars.

And got his wish to meet the President who's ordered veterans care improved.

"We will stand by your side whether you're 7 days out or like Richard 70 years out because here in America we take care of our own," the President said.

But the big backlog of veterans benefit cases is not taken care of on Veteran's Day 2013.

The President's goal is for the V.A. to cut the wait for Iraq and Afghan war benefits to 4 months by 2015.

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